The Portland Trail Blazers surprised some people when they used a first-round pick on Yang Hansen last month, but a closer look at Donovan Clingan’s rookie season helps explain the decision. Clingan arrived in Portland with plenty of hype surrounding his size and defensive ability, but he struggled to handle consistent heavy minutes over the course of the season.
That reality made it clear the Blazers would need another long-term option at center. And not just any backup, but someone who could offer a different dynamic. Hansen is now being positioned as that kind of player, and Portland’s thinking seems pretty clear.